Building work has started on transforming a former military barracks into hundreds of homes and student accommodation.

Construction has begun at the Preston Barracks site in Lewes Road, Brighton, which will see 369 new homes being built and accommodation for 534 students.

To mark the beginning of work hoardings have been decorated with 1,500 posters created by University of Brighton art students, as demolition comes to end and construction on the site begins.

Sarah Chitty from developer U+I said: “Our hoardings have a prominent position along the Lewes Road and we wanted to celebrate the project and the local community with a bold and striking new look. We are full steam ahead with the development of this site.”

The Preston Barracks development is part of a wider £300 million masterplan will also see the adjacent University of Brighton Moulsecoomb campus redeveloped.

It comes as construction reached its full height at the Circus Street, Brighton, development, which will see a derelict former fruit and vegetable market transform into a new public square with restaurants and shops.

To mark the occasion ribbons were hung on a birch ‘wishing tree’ on top of the highest building.

Construction also started on arts’ organisation South East Dance’s new home The Dance space which will open onto the square and provide space for creative projects and performances.

Brighton and Hove City Council leader Warren Morgan put the first spade in the ground. Cllr Morgan said: “Circus Street and Preston Barracks are superb examples of public private partnerships bringing long derelict areas of land back to productive use."